Charles noticed.
His expression changed.
“The venue payment.”
Martin handed Adrian a tablet.
“The final balance has not arrived.”
Charles pulled out his phone.
“I can send it now.”
Adrian shook his head.
“That may be difficult.”
Charles stopped.
“What does that mean?”
“As of eleven o’clock tonight, Bennett Capital’s credit committee declined your refinancing request.”
Charles stared at him.
“No.”
“The Harrington portfolio failed to meet its debt-service requirements last quarter.”
“You told me we had until Monday.”
“You did.”
Adrian glanced at Olivia.
“Until tonight gave me additional information about how your family conducts itself when it believes there are no consequences.”
Charles’s hands began shaking.
“Adrian, please. This isn’t about her wedding anymore. Thousands of employees—”
“Which is precisely why we will protect viable operations.”
Charles blinked.
“But your personal guarantees remain your responsibility.”
Olivia grabbed her father’s arm.
“What is he saying?”
Charles didn’t answer.
Adrian did.
“Your family’s company is heavily leveraged.”
Olivia’s face changed.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“My father owns half of Charleston.”
“No,” Adrian said calmly. “Your father manages properties financed by other people’s money.”
Charles lowered his head.
At midnight, the ballroom clock chimed.
Adrian turned toward Martin.
“The account is unpaid.”
Martin nodded.
“Close the bar. Stop additional service. Give the guests thirty minutes to depart.”
Olivia screamed.
“You can’t end my wedding!”
Adrian looked at her.
“You ended it yourself.”
Tears appeared in her eyes.
“This is revenge!”
“No.”
He remained calm.
“Revenge would be humiliating you because I can.”
He glanced toward the service doors.
“This is accountability for humiliating people because you thought they couldn’t fight back.”
Evan slowly removed his hand from Olivia’s waist.
She turned.
“What are you doing?”
He looked toward Charles.
Then toward Adrian.
Then back at her.
“I need some air.”
“Evan!”
He walked away.
Guests began whispering.
